Poulenc: Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano

Question 1

What area of study is this from?

Answer 1

Into the 20th Century

Question 2

The bassoon stays in the tenor clef for the duration of the movement. True or false?

Answer 2

False - it starts in the bass clef and moves to and from the tenor clef

Question 3

What language are the performance markings written in?

Answer 3

French

Question 4

What is the tonality of the B section?

Answer 4

Minor (B minor)

Question 5

What Classical features are heard in the Trio?

Answer 5

Arpeggios and conjunct melodies
Dialogue
Melodic development
Melodic fragmentation
Rhythmic/octave/unison
Use of 4 bar phrases
Sequences
Passing notes including auxiliary notes
Tonicisation in various keys
Ornamentation including trills and acciaccaturas
Parallel harmonies in solo parts
Use of melody dominated homophony

Question 6

What Neo-Classical features are heard in the Trio?

Answer 6

Non-functional harmony
Changing time signatures
Unexpected modulations
Irregular phrase lengths
Dissonance
Wrong-note harmony
Half diminished chords
Wide range of pitches and dynamics

Question 7

What are the keys of the movements either side of this movement?

Answer 7

A minor and then Db major

Question 8

What type of scale is heard in this piece that is also used in Debussy ‘Nuages’?

Answer 8

Octatonic

Question 9

What movement is this that you study?

Answer 9

Movement 2

Question 10

What is a half diminished chord?

Answer 10

A 4 note chord consisting of notes that are a minor 3rd, minor 3rd, minor 3rd, major 3rd away from each other i.e. C, Eb, Gb and Bb

Question 11

What is odd about the final chord

Answer 11

It is an F minor chord with an E natural

Question 12

What types of cadences are heard on the final page?

Answer 12

Plagal

Question 13

What is the structure of the Trio?

Answer 13

Loose ternary/rounded binary form

Question 14

What nationality is Poulenc?

Answer 14

French

Question 15

What is the style of music?

Answer 15

Neo-Classical

Question 16

When reading this score for harmony questions, what must you be wary of?

Answer 16

What clefs the instruments are in
Whether a note in the bass is a pedal or part of the chord
Whether a note in the melody is a passing note or part of the chord
If there are other notes apart from those that make a triad, work out what they might be i.e. a 7th
Check the bars around the bar you’re looking at; check the key; has it modulated?

Question 17

Why is the structure of this piece unclear?

Answer 17

The sections are separated by musical style rather than cadence points
The returning melody in the final section is varied and not in the original key
The final cadence is unclear and unexpected i.e. not perfect

Question 18

What is the key signature of the piece at the start?

Answer 18

Bb major/G minor
2 flats

Question 19

What is Poulenc’s first name?

Answer 19

Francis